Tourism is constantly changing. While city retreats were once the most popular activity, people have since turned to nature, often fuelled by the desire to get an incredible picture for Instagram. However, if you seek the beauty of nature and not the Instagram story then you may be starting to realize that tourism can have considerably negative impacts on the areas people visit. For this reason, many people who truly love nature and the environment are starting to look at more eco-friendly forms of tourism.
Eco-tourism can come in many forms but one of the most popular is eco-volunteering. This means traveling to a destination and helping in the local area with some elements of the ecosystem. That could mean the animals or the wider environment. While it is a volunteer post in many cases you still have to pay to go as the funds you pay are used to help the future of the area and the ecosystem. Here are some of our favorites:
Orangutans in Borneo
As palm oil continues to fuel the deforestation of jungles in Borneo, orangutans are in trouble. Their natural habitat is being ruined. Thankfully there are a number of projects being set up to help them and you can visit as a tourist or as a volunteer.
If isolation and solitude suit you then the forests of Borneo will be a great place to spend your downtime. Your work will be combatting the deforestation in the area and helping with the orphaned orangutans.
Marine conservation in Belize
Belize is located in the Caribbean of Central America. The marine environment there is facing many issues and people need to work tirelessly to conserve it. This involves diving into the marine environment to perform tests and more. If you are an avid diver or would like to be, then this is an incredible choice as you will be trained in how to be a PADI diver in a matter of days and then put to work.
In your downtime, you can visit some incredible beaches, pyramids and explore the beautiful nature.
Deserts of Israel
If the rainforests of Borneo and the waters of Belize do not tempt you perhaps the deserts of Israel will. These deserts are home to some incredible wild cats such as leopards and sand cats. The animals are in a low population and so need assistance to ensure they are maintained at a healthy number.
These are just three examples of the incredible options that ecotourism can offer. If you are tight on budget but willing to work hard and if your heart is in the right place, it may be perfect for you. Anyone who thinks it is just a cheap holiday will be disappointed quickly but to those who want to make a difference, an incredible journey awaits.
